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. 0. K. BARLOW.

DENTAL INSTRUMENT RUBBER COVER.

No. 336,781. Patented Feb. 2.3, 1886.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES K. BARLOW, OF POUGHKEEPSIE, NINV YORK.

DENTAL-INSTRUMENT RUBBER CQVER.

EQPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 336,781, datedFebruary 23, 1886.

Application filed November 13, 1885. Serial No. 182,746.

To all whom (it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES K. BARLOW, a citizen of the United States,residing at Poughkeepsie, in the county of Dutchess and State of NewYork, have invented a new and useful Soft-Rubber Covering forInstrument- Handles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in the covering of the handles ofsurgical and dental implements.

It consists of a sofbrubber tubing cap provided on its outer surfacewith small annular or transverse corrugations, the bore of the cap beingmade thickened at its outer end and smaller than the size of the handleit is intended to cover, so that it remains firmly fixed in its placeafter being stretched over the handle in the manner hereinafter morefully set forth.

By the use of this improved covering the following advantages areattained:

First, avoidance of any slipping of the instrument in the hands of theoperator; second, firmness in holding (especially in the case ofinstruments Whose points are to be operated at an angle) is thus gainedwith an expenditure of much less strength than is required in graspingmetal handles; third, avoidance of all strain on muscles and nerves,with consequent fatigue, so that both time and strength are saved forthe operator; fourth, avoidance of injury to the hand of the operator incase sudden strong pressure is brought to bear in the use of theinstrument; fifth, avoidance of injury to the mouth of a patient indental operations in case of atooth crushing or of the instrumentsuddenly losing its grip; sixth, avoidance of laceration when the suddenclosing of the handles pinches the hand of the operator; seventh,avoidance of the rusting of the handles from moisture of the hand;eighth, applicability to any instrumenthandle (old or new) together withquickness of adjustment by operator; ninth, cleanliness secured by thisreadiness of change after use for a certain time. I attain theseadvantages by means of the device illustrated in the accompanyingsdrawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a denial (No in 0del.)

instrument, showing my improved softrubber tubing-cap applied to thehandles thereof. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal horizontal section cut throughone of the dental-instrument handles, showing the tubing-cap also insection. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one form of tubing-cap, showingone end closed and reenforced. Fig. 4 is a like view of another form ofthe same,showing both ends open; and Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectionalview out through an open end of the cap.

In Fig. l A represents a dental instrument.

B represents the soft-rubber tubing-cap,

which by moistening can be readily worked over the handle a. where itremains firmly fixed for use until it is desired to remove it.

2) represents the re-enforcement of the end of the tubing cap to takethe force of a blow or of strong steady pressure from the hand. Theouter surface of the tubing is provided with a series of small annularor transverse corrugations, which offer extra friction, and thus preventthe operators hand from slipping.

In Fig. 2 the adjustment of the tubing-cap over the handle is clearlyshown in section, a, b, and B designating, respectively, the parts abovementioned in Fig. 1.

In Figs. 3, 4, and 5, 0 represents the open end, which is made somewhatsmaller in diameter than the rest of the tubing-cap, (shown in detail inFig. 5,) so as to fit the more snugly to the handle, an object attainedstill more completely by a beveling or thinning of the rubber tubing atthat point.

In Fig. 4, 0 represents the upper end of the tubing-cap open as appliedto plugging or similar instruments where no pressure needs to be exertedagainst the end of the handle, or where the end is used for malleting.

I am aware that prior to my invention softrubber caps have been appliedto broom-bandles,to prevent friction against the hand; but such caps orcovers have not been contracted at their ends for the purpose of morefirmly holding the cover in position on smooth surfaces; nor have suchcovers been thickened heretofore, for the reason that there has been nonecessity for the provision of a cushion for the hand where strongpressure has to be employed, as in dental tools.

I am also well aware thatsoft-rubber covers removable cap and sleeve, ofcorrugated soft 10 have heretofore been vulcanized directly on rubber,for dental tools, contracted at its open the instrument-handles, butthey remainfixed end and thickened at its outer end for the andimmovable in their seats. I therefore do purpose of forming a cushionfor the hand, as

5 not claim such soft-rubber tubing-cap, broadset forth.

ly, in its application to any article; but CHARLES K. BARLOVV.

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Let- Vitnesses:

ters Patent, is J. M. TOWNSEND,

As an article of manufacture, the combined CHAS. MORsOHAUsER.

